Do’s and Don’ts in Alzheimer’s Care

Dealing with patients who are living with Alzheimer’s disease could mean undergoing through a roller coaster of emotions. With over 5 million Americans who are suffering such disease, it is but wise to know more how to deal with such patients as it could happen to you or to anyone of us. Today, on the blog, we will discuss some helpful reminders when it comes to dealing with patients having neurodegenerative diseases.

Here are some do’s and don’ts that we try to follow at Prestige Health Care Services, Inc., your partner in Home Health Care in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Do: Be patient with all the changes in their behavior

Senior adults who are still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may still have a hard time understanding their disposition. At some point, they are to their normal self and another they are throwing tantrums. Although this is a difficult thing to manage, as caregivers and family members, it would be best if we try to be patient all the time.

Once we see different behaviors exhibited by our patients or when they tend to repeat the same questions over and over again, we must stop ourselves from pointing it out. If they will ask the same question again, keep your answers short. If they start acting differently, do not reprimand them but instead console them. Keep questions to a minimum and do not ask them complicated stuff.

Do: Focus on the skills that your patient has

As the disease worsens, we could see dramatic changes in our senior patient’s behavior and physique. And instead of pointing out the limitations of your patient in terms of actions and cognitive skills, focus on what they still have.

If your patient is still physically active or if they have certain hobbies that are still doable for them, then you can engage them in such activities. If your patient can still remember how to use the spoon and the fork, then let them eat on their own. There is no need to go beyond what is needed from us as caregivers.

Don’t: Do Everything Alone

As caregivers, we have to be realistic. Looking after patients with Alzheimer’s disease is a handful. Although it is our job to always look after them, we must know when to need help when we know we cannot do it alone.

When setting goals for your patient, know their medical history first and understand what they’re going through before coming up with a health care plan for them. Moreover, if you need to study your patient more closely, you can ask help from the family. Lastly, if you need some time alone to recover from all the stress of caregiving, then do not hesitate to take some time off.